Should I buy an Apple TV?

macrumors 65816

I am thinking about buying an apple tv but I have a feeling an update will be coming soon. What are the chances that a new apple tv will be coming next year? Better yet, what are the chances of it supporting 1080P video? This would be the only reason why I would wait, 1080P would be nice. However, the device is relatively inexpensive, but $100 is $100 know what I mean.....

macrumors 603

macrumors 68030

I am thinking about buying an apple tv but I have a feeling an update will be coming soon. What are the chances that a new apple tv will be coming next year? Better yet, what are the chances of it supporting 1080P video? This would be the only reason why I would wait, 1080P would be nice. However, the device is relatively inexpensive, but $100 is $100 know what I mean.....

Click to expand...

There will most definitely be an upgrade of the ATV to a model that handles 1080p, either integrated in a television set or as a set top box. But no one knows when this is going to happen.

If you want it, get it. If 1080p is really that important to you, get something else.

macrumors 6502

The ATV2 is almost identical internally to the iPhone 4 and the iPad 1, and none of them are capable of 1080p output (even jailbroken). The iPhone 4S and iPad 2 are both capable of 1080p output, as will the ATV be when it's upgraded to the next generation of hardware, but almost certainly not before.

macrumors 68020

The software on the ATV2 is now 4.4. The iPhone and iPad is on 5.0. I was surprised that ATV2 did not get the 5.0 upgrade (only 4.3 -> 4.4). However, since they only added a few features I was hoping there would be an upgrade to 5.0 soon that would have a lot of new features and maybe an App Store (desperately needed).

macrumors 6502

THe ATV2 is a great way to watch iTunes video content that you rent/buy from the iTunes store. If you are wanting something to watch Netflix/Amazon, etc. get a Roku. If you want to rip DVD's or Blu-rays and stream that, get something like a Popcornhour or WD TV Live Plus (1080 + bitstream HD audio).

There doesn't seem to be a single perfect answer today. Fortunately, none of these are particularly expensive, so unless you are running out of HDMI inputs on your AVR, buy the best solution for your application.

macrumors 6502

Another thing to remember about the ATV2 is that it must have an iTunes instance running on a computer to stream content unless you are playing content from the iTunes Store or Netflix/Youtube. It cannot mount a shared disk or use a NAS that runs the open source Firefly iTunes server application. Since your signature lists only a MBP, you might want to think this through unless you are looking for Netflix or iTunes store rentals only.

The Roku2 XS (1080p) is a great solution for internet content (Netflix, Amazon, Huluplus, Epix, HBOgo, etc) except the iTunes store of course.

The ATV2 is a very handy iTunes music player with the iOS Remote app, but be aware that it transcodes everything to 48k, so it is not a bit-perfect audiophile solution by a long shot.

If you don't need HD audio from blu-ray rips, a 2011 Mac Mini with XBMC is probably about as close to an all-in-one solution as you will presently get. A Mini running Win7 & JRiver Media Center is also good, but still no HD audio on the Mini.

I love the ATV2, but if I didn't purchase TV shows from the iTunes Store, I would likely not use it.

macrumors 68000

I decided to JB my ATV2 today, took all of about 30 min or so due to a few user erros, but basically if you follow the directions it is so freaking painless and easy. After installing a variety of plug ins all I can say is FREAKING WOW, this is how ATV should have been out of the box. An internet browser to stream content, fixed the "Send to Airplay" plug in 1 min timeout issue, Plex, XMBC and more. Wow wow wow and I just scratched the surface.

This JB removes the need to have iTunes running for a lot of your non itunes content thanks to Plex and XMBC, in fact with XMBC you do not even need your computer running, just connect your media storage to your network.

macrumors 68000

Another thing to remember about the ATV2 is that it must have an iTunes instance running on a computer to stream content unless you are playing content from the iTunes Store or Netflix/Youtube. It cannot mount a shared disk or use a NAS that runs the open source Firefly iTunes server application. Since your signature lists only a MBP, you might want to think this through unless you are looking for Netflix or iTunes store rentals only.

The Roku2 XS (1080p) is a great solution for internet content (Netflix, Amazon, Huluplus, Epix, HBOgo, etc) except the iTunes store of course.

The ATV2 is a very handy iTunes music player with the iOS Remote app, but be aware that it transcodes everything to 48k, so it is not a bit-perfect audiophile solution by a long shot.

If you don't need HD audio from blu-ray rips, a 2011 Mac Mini with XBMC is probably about as close to an all-in-one solution as you will presently get. A Mini running Win7 & JRiver Media Center is also good, but still no HD audio on the Mini.

I love the ATV2, but if I didn't purchase TV shows from the iTunes Store, I would likely not use it.

Click to expand...

I would agree. I have the ATV2 and just got the Roku 2 XS. For 1080p netflix streaming, the ROKU is better than the ATV2. Not blu ray quality, but definitely better. Same goes with NHL. A better picture without stuttering like on ATV2. But ATV2 has a much better interface and of course current tv shows and airplay that ROKU doesn't even come close. That's probably the reason why I have both.

thread startermacrumors 65816

Thanks for all the info guys! I mainly want an ATV2 to rent movies and watch netflix. But I do have netflix on my PS3. I need to re-think this and make sure the ATV2 will get some use rather than sitting there collecting dust.

macrumors 68030

Another thing to remember about the ATV2 is that it must have an iTunes instance running on a computer to stream content unless you are playing content from the iTunes Store or Netflix/Youtube. It cannot mount a shared disk or use a NAS that runs the open source Firefly iTunes server application. Since your signature lists only a MBP, you might want to think this through unless you are looking for Netflix or iTunes store rentals only.

The Roku2 XS (1080p) is a great solution for internet content (Netflix, Amazon, Huluplus, Epix, HBOgo, etc) except the iTunes store of course.

The ATV2 is a very handy iTunes music player with the iOS Remote app, but be aware that it transcodes everything to 48k, so it is not a bit-perfect audiophile solution by a long shot.

If you don't need HD audio from blu-ray rips, a 2011 Mac Mini with XBMC is probably about as close to an all-in-one solution as you will presently get. A Mini running Win7 & JRiver Media Center is also good, but still no HD audio on the Mini.

I love the ATV2, but if I didn't purchase TV shows from the iTunes Store, I would likely not use it.

macrumors 6502

The only advantage to me personally in JB'ing it would be if I could get Amazon video streaming on it. Even with XBMC on a JB ATV2, I still have 720p with lossy audio. I need 1080p with HD audio to play my ripped BD's.

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